Charity Checks

In a recent post I depressed some of the Gift Card Givers when I shared the news that gift cards probably weren’t the most prudent gift choice this holiday season. So what is the best gift to give?

Charity Checks.
Now before you write it off (bad pun intended) just hear me out.
This isn’t the usual thing where you open your Christmas Card and see that in lieu of sending you a present, Aunt Melba has donated $50 in your name to the save the Giant Bufa Toad Foundation. Merry Christmas to You!

No, this is better for both the giver and the recipient.
You see, no one really wants to receive a gift in their name to some organization they don’t know or care about, and sadly just because a charity speaks to you, doesn’t make it an appropriate gift choice for someone else.

In my opinion this is a classic “to you for me” holiday gift.
You know, the gift where your hubby gets you the sexy lingerie—-for him!
Or your hubby buys the X-Box for the kids—–only they are 18 months old.
I’m sure you have your own examples.

So here is why I love Charity Checks and you should too.

1.) You get the tax deduction since they are a registered non-profit organization
2.) Your recipient gets to choose the non-profit charity that they want to give the check to.
3.) You can purchase the charity checks in various denominations.
4.) The charity deposits and receives 100% of the face value of the check!
5.) It looks classier than giving cash or a gift card for a company that may go out of business.

If you want to go a step further you can research various charitable organizations and include a short note suggesting a charity—-but most people do have a charity that speaks to them. If the gift is for a teenager you may want to refer them to the list of registered charities.

I have been giving charity checks on and off for the past four years.
I cannot tell you how excited people were to tell me about the charity they gave their check to.
So in the spirit of giving I hope you give a Charity Check this holiday season.
I know I will be.

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